N E W C O M M U N I T Y B E L I E F S

In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in all things, charity.

— St. Augustine

About GodGod is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three personalities: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal and are one God.For further Study: Genesis 1:1, 26, 27: 3:22; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; 1 Peter 1:2; 2 Corinthians 13:14

About Jesus ChristJesus Christ is the Son of God. He is co-equal with the Father. Jesus lived a sinless human life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on a cross. He arose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended to Heaven where he reigns as King and will return again to earth someday to reign in the fullness of the Kingdom.For Further Study: Matthew 1:22-23; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1-5, 14:10-30; Hebrews 4:14-15; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; Romans 1:3-4; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Timothy 6:14-15; Titus 2:13

About the Holy SpiritThe Holy Spirit is co-equal with the Father and the Son of God. He is present in the world to make men and women aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He also lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation. He provides the Christian with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. He gives every believer spiritual gifts when they are saved. As Christians we seek to live under His control daily.For Further Study:Acts 1:8; 2 Corinthians 3:17; John 16:7-13, 14:16-17; Galatians 5:25; 1 Corinthians 2:12, 3:16; Ephesians 1:13, 5:18

About the BibleThe Bible is God’s Word to us. It was written by human authors, under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs about living. Because it is inspired by God, it is truth without any mixture of error.For Further Study: 2 Timothy 1:13, 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21; Psalm 119:105, 160, 12:6; Proverbs 30:5

About Human BeingsPeople are made in the spiritual image of God, to be like Him in character. People are the supreme object of God’s creation. Although every person has tremendous potential for good, all of us are marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God called “sin”. Sin separates us from God and causes many problems in our life.For Further Study: Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6a; Romans 3:23; Isaiah 59:1-2

About SalvationSalvation is God’s free gift to us but we must accept it. We can never make up for our sin by self-improvement or good works. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God’s offer of forgiveness can anyone be saved from sin’s penalty. When we turn from our self-ruled life and turn to Jesus in faith we are saved. Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ into his life by faith.For further Study: Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-9; John 14:6, 1:2; Titus 3:5; Galatians 3:26; Romans 5:1; Romans 10:9-10

About EternityPeople were created to exist forever. We will either exist eternally separated from God by sin or eternally with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God is hell. To be eternally in union with Him is eternal life. Heaven and hell are real places of eternal existence.For Further Study: John 3:16; John 14:17; Romans 6:23; Romans 8:17-18; Revelation 20:15; 1 Corinthians 2:7-9

About CommunionBoth baptism and the communion (the Lord’s Supper) are sacraments—outward signs of God’s invisible grace. These sacraments allow the people of God to practice and experience the covenants God has established. Communion is the remembrance of and identification with the work of Christ through his death and suffering on the cross. This frequent remembrance of the breaking of Christ’s body and the shedding of his blood for the sake of atonement is the remembrance of the establishment of the New Covenant. For Further Study: 1 Corinthians 11:24-28; John 6:53-58; Luke 22:19-20; Matthew 26:26-28; Acts 2:42-47; Isaiah 53:5

About BaptismIn terms of baptism, we practice both infant and believers’ baptism. We do this because we believe there is much freedom within the limits set by Scripture in order to maintain unity amidst diversity. Baptism is an opportunity for the community of faith to stand together in unity no matter the position of the believer. Traditionally, there have been two stances on baptism: (1) infant baptism in which an infant is sprinkled with water as an act of faith on the part of the family done in trust of God’s sovereign will, and (2) believer baptism where one makes a personal profession of faith and is immersed in water.For Further Study: Matthew 3:13-17; Mark 1:9-11; Luke 3:21-22; John 1:29-33; Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 8:35-38; Acts 16:31, 33; Romans 6:3-6; 1 Corinthians 12:13; Galatians 3:27